Key-actuated rope lock



j se tiz's 192e 1,601,046 R. L. SHANNON T w KEYACTUATED ROPE LOCK Filed March 31 1924 INVEN TOR I ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

erran ROBERT LOI/VE.S IA1 TNON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KEY-ACTUATED Born LOCK.

Application filed March 31, 1924. Serial No. 703,195.

My? invention relates to improvements in key actuated rope locks, and consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide aikeyvactuate'd rope lock which isadapted to receive the two strands of a rope which oloses 'the open end of a mail bag or other li lie retainer and to permit the strings to be lpull'ed through th'e'locl; in one direction so astorclose the bag but at'the same time to prevent the strings from being moved in the opposite direction to open the A further: object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described in whicli it is-necessary to employ a key to open th'e' lockin orderto permitthe strings tolbemove'd so asto open the bag.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described in which a partition is: used for keeping the two strands separate as they-pass through the lock, whereby thestrands are prevented from'becomingtwisted while in the lock.

A further objectof'my invention is to provide a-rdevice of the type described in which ai part of the rope guidingmeans for 'the lock is also used combination for the lock, thus permitting various locks to be employed, each lock being actuated by to-permit the strands-'7 to bemoved in either a difierent key. 7

A further object of my invention is to provide a: device ofthe type described which is provided with a name plate, whereby the device is especially adapted for use with mail sacks or the like.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claim.

y invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which 7 Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device, showing a card disposed in place,

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the device,

Figure 4 is a section alongthe line d-'i of Figure 3, 1 V

Figure 5 is a section along the line 55 of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the device.

In carrying out my invention I provide a U-shaped member 1 which carries a card retaining member 2. The member 2 isadapted to receive a card 3 as clearly shown in Figure 2. The space enclosed by the sides of the iii-shaped member 1 is divided into two compartments by means ota-partition 4. A strip 5 is disposed around the edges of the member 1 and encloses the working part-s of'the device.

In Figure 3- I have shown the strip 5 asbeing provided with an opening 6 through which two strands 7 are adapted to pass; The strands are passed beneath a pin 8 that is provided with teeth 9 for a purpose hereinafter described. Thestrands 7 are then passed over a pair of clamping mem hers 10 and 11. A portion of the strip 5 is bent inwardly into the interior ofthe device" and provides a partition 12 over which the strands are adapted'to move: The inner end ofthe partition 12 is bent at 13 and provided with notches 14 for a purpose hereinafter described: The partition dis provided with an opening 15 which is of the same shape as the-opening 16 one of: the walls of the member 1. A key 17 is adapted to be received in the openings-15 and '16 and when turned is adapted to come in contact with bothofthe membersld and 11. In Figure 3 I have shown akey in a position to hold themembers '10-and 11' so-as direction. p

Before the key can be swung into-engagement with the members 10 and 11 it must first pass by the portion 13. The key is provided with projections 18 which are adapted to be received by the notches 14 as the key is moved thereby. If any other key is used, it will strike the portion 13 and will prevent the operator from bringing the key into contact with the members 10 and 11. In this way, a positive means is provided for preventing the members 10 and 11 from b ing swung into the full line position unless the proper key is used. A groove 19 is also provided in the key 17 and is adapted to receive the partition 4: so as to permit the key to be swung or turned within the casing.

The rope clamping members '10 and 11 are provided with grooves 20 which extend from the ends 21 of the members to a short dis tance below the ends, as clearly shown in Figure 3. A portion of the ends 21 that are not provided with grooves 20 are serrated at 22 and are adapted to bite into the rope to hold the latter when the members are shown in the dotted line position shown in Figure 3. Leaf spr ngs 23 tend to swing the members 10 and 11 into the dotted line position.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device the operation thereof may be readily understood. As heretofore stated. the strands T are fed through the lock in the manner shown in Figure 3. llhen the strands are pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3, the members 10 and 11 will be swung into the full line position and will permit th s movement. If now, however, the strands are pulled in the reverse direction they will first swing the members 10 and 11 into the dotted line position, whereupon the mem bers w ll crowd the strands up against the top of the member 1 and also against the teeth 9. The teeth 21 will also engage with the strands. These three points of engagement prevent the strands from being moved in the reverse direction to that shown by the arrow in Figure 3. In case the mail bag to which the device is attached becomes loosened, it is merely necessary to pull the strands 7 in the direction of the arrow, whereupon the bag is again tightly closed. This operation may be performed without the use of a key, since the members 10 and 11 can be moved into the full line position shown in Figure 3. If it is desired, however, to open the bags, it is first necessary to obtain the key which opens the lock.

in opening the device, the ltey is rotated into the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 and is prevented from further movement by means of a stop p n The members 10 and 11 are provided with recesses 25 which receive the key when the key is swung so as to open the lock. The key is left in the lock when the strands 7 are pulled in the reverse bers 10 and 11 provide a novel and eilicient means for gripping the strands so as to prevent the strands from movement in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrow. The device is extremely simple in construction, and is durable and eliicient for the i purpose intended. A card holder 2 permits the device to be used in the same manner as the standard mail sack lock.

Every mail sack must be provided with a name plate. The lock provides a novel means for securing the name plate to the draw strings of the sack, and at the same time for locking the strings so that the bag cannot be opened. In this way the loci: performs a double function.

I claim:

A mail bag loci; comprising a casing, one wall of said casing having a portion thereof bent inwardly to form a rope guide, springpressed clamping members having serrated portions for engaging with the strands of rope, a pin having a serrated portion adapted to cooperate with the serrated portions on said clamping members for preventing the movement of the strands in one direction, said clamping members being positioned in said casing to bind the strands against the wall of the casing and against the serrated portion of said pin, spring means for n'ioving said clamping members toward said pin, and a partition extending between said clamping members for preventing the strands of rope from becoming tangled within the casing.

ROBERT LO'WE SHANXOX. 

